WILSON, N.C. - The Wilson Warbirds scored 11 straight runs to capture a 12-3 win over the Columbia Fireflies on Thursday night at Wilson Ballpark.
Columbia (55-54, 21-22 second half) took an early 1-0 lead on an RBI walk in the top of the first inning.
Wilson (58-50, 22-20 second half) answered back in the bottom of the first with Brailyn Antunez singling in Brady Ebel, who extended his on-base streak to 31 games.
Wilson allowed two in the top of the second, falling behind 3-1. The Columbia lead did not last much longer.
After Brady Ebel scored on a wild pitch to slash the lead to 3-2, Handelfry Encarnacion tied the game at three with an RBI double down the right field line. A Frederi Montero groundout drove in another to give Wilson a 4-3 win. Pedro Ibarguen delivered the exclamation point in a five-run frame, driving in two more with a single to extend the lead to 6-3.
Wilson added three more in the fourth and two in the fifth to claim a commanding 11-3 lead.
Antunez slammed a home run over the left field wall in the bottom of the eighth to put the finishing touches on a 12-3 win.
Jarrette Bonet (W, 7-5) got back in the win column, throwing five strong innings, and Joey Broughton (S, 2) picked up the save, tossing four shutout innings.
Starter Ryan McDonagh (L, 2-4) was the losing pitcher for Columbia.
Having clinched at least a series split, Wilson goes for the series win tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. Wilson will trot RHP Miqueas Mercedes (2-1, 3.16) out to the mound to face off against Columbia’s RHP Coleman Picard (1-2, 3.27). Tickets for tomorrow’s game are available at WilsonWarbirds.com or by calling (919) 269-2287.